Why do most blogs not make it past the first three months?  Perhaps because most authors start with a few ideas of what they want to say, but then they lack the skills to continue and develop a audience. Pro Blogger mentor Darren Rowse (of ProBlogger.net) reckons that many of his blogs did not reach their tipping point (of success) until about two years in – i.e. only the determined survive!

Blogs must show a consistency of voice. A voice that is perhaps not always going to be completely Politically Correct, but sometimes bring up a salient point that no-one has hitherto suggested, or break a new story. This is why blogging is different to writing web page content – sharing, helping, and throwing out ideas is the MAIN aim. Promoting is secondary. Get it?

Some Key Blogging Tips

Remember that the habit of posting has to be done like clockwork, through busy times and lean times, through computer meltdowns and people meltdowns. Outsourcing will take that load off you, but make sure the writer is clued into your audience and your core topics.

Don’t get bogged down in the blog posts. It’s meant to be fast.

“Think of your blog as a thick marker – and each blog post a single idea designed to inspire, engage and stimulate.” - Gavin, Servant of Chaos (pro blogger)

Learn yourself from the best commentators/bloggers, and then educate your audience. Snippets of other author’s comments, or related facts, makes each post interesting. While blogging may seem lonely at first, soon real comments from readers and a great social media strategy will get you past the blogging blues.

Stats:
While Technorati states it is tracking over 112.8 million blogs (figures in 2009, and exclude China), only around 21% are actually active.

More about Blogging for Small Business and a book you can buy at Servant of Chaos.